I don’t want you to do anything. Just look around while I talk to him. And … if he has employees who feel like showing you around, maybe you can feel them out.”
“Not a problem.”
“I mean, don’t go around asking questions—”
“Peter, I know the difference between being a curious person and a detective. You’re the latter, I’m the former. I’m just keeping you company. No harm in that.”
“Actually, it might be fun for you. The gallery also sells jewelry, without a doubt beyond my price range.”
She was still glowing from the compliment Peter had given her. “I don’t need diamonds. I don’t need anything. I’m totally happy with what I have.”
“I like to buy you things.”
“Flowers are always in fashion.”
“How about orchids?”
“Orchids are lovely.”
Decker sighed. “Maybe one day the orchids will come with a trip to Hawaii.”
“Maybe,” Rina said. “In the meantime, we can always do a little hula all by our lonesome.”
Williamsburg still teemed with black hats, but now the area was divided between the Chasids with their Borsalinos and the fur-trimmed shtreimels versus the hipsters wearing fedoras, derbies, newsboys, and porkpies. Both groups wore full beards, and even the dress wasn’t that dissimilar. There were synagogues, kosher marts, and religious bookstores and dress shops. But the neighborhood also boasted hip bars and restaurants. Even the kosher crowd was getting into the act with establishments serving more exotic things like oxtail soup and grilled chicken hearts.
Sammy Lazarus, and his wife, Rachel, lived a few blocks away from the action in a tiny apartment with their sixteen-month-old daughter, Lily. She was Rina’s first blood grandchild and the Deckers’ first granddaughter. The little girl had a mop of curly blond hair, bright blue eyes, and a perpetual sunny disposition. As soon as they walked into the living room, Lily began running around in circles, flapping her hands in sheer joy. “Yay, yay, Nana, Boppa, Nana, Boppa, yay, yay, Nana Boppa, yay.”
Decker hadn’t had a greeting like that since: well, his memory didn’t go back that far. But it was nice to be wanted. Rachel invited them in with her wide, white smile. Over her clothes, she wore a butterfly print apron that was dusted with flour and her blond curls were pulled back into a “messy” bun. She gave both of them a big hug. “Someone is very excited.” The toddler was running amok. “Can I get you guys something?”
“I’m fine.” Rina gave Rachel a kiss on her cheek then tried to corral Lily. “Well, hello, gorgeous. Does Nana get a kiss?”
The toddler stopped in her tracks, backed up, and planted a wet one on Rina’s lips. Rina picked her up and smothered her cheek with kisses. “Who does Nana love?”
“Lily.” It came out “Weewee.” She reached out her hands to Decker. “Boppa.”
Decker took her from Rina and tossed her in the air until the child was spasmodic with laughter. When his arms felt as if they were falling off, Decker lowered her to the floor. “How about a break, Miss El?” But she was already running in circles again.
“It’s been too cold to go to the park. I think she’s a little cooped up. The sun’s out. Maybe I’ll try to take her today.”
“I’ll take her if you’re busy,” Rina offered.
“If you wouldn’t mind, that would be helpful.” Rachel had taken the time to set up a little spread on their dinette table. She spotted Decker looking at it. “Just a little nibble in case you were hungry.”
“Thanks, honey. I’ll take some coffee.” Rina looked at her watch. It was a little after nine and too early to go out in the cold. Lily had brought out her box of blocks, meaning that they had other vistas to conquer before the park. Rina sat down on the floor, opened the lid, and dumped out the box. “How about if I make a tower and you can knock it down.”
The little girl responded with something approximating “knock it down.” Decker made a cup of coffee for Rina and one for himself. Then he took a minichocolate Danish and popped it in his mouth. He turned to Rachel. “How’s the residency coming along?”
“One more year.” She paused. “I love my profession but sometimes it’s hard seeing sick children, especially now that I have Lily.” Her eyes watered and she quickly blinked. “How’s your new job?”
“It’s slower paced, but it’s better than retirement.”
“Do you miss the LAPD?”
“Not when I’m only three hours away from all the people I love. Moving was a great decision.” He hoped he had sounded convincing. The truth? It was hard to regroup. “Today I’m actually here for work. Nothing crucial so we decided to mix it with a little pleasure.”
“That’s great. We’re always so happy to see you. What kind of work are you doing here?”
“Mostly talking to some people. Actually, I’ve got to be in Manhattan at ten. How long do you think it would take me to get to Columbus Circle?”
“Around a half hour more or less,” Rachel said. “What are you looking into if I can ask?”
“An art theft.”
“Sounds very intriguing.”
“Most intriguing thing I’ve done in six months.” He looked at Lily and Rina.
Rachel said, “I don’t know which one is having more fun.”
“My vote’s with Rina.”
“It’s so nice having both of you on the East Coast. Sammy is so happy.” Again, Rachel teared up. “So we’re all going out for dinner tonight?”
“That’s the plan.”
“It’s ten of us, right?”
“Gabe is out of town and his girlfriend’s working, so it’s only eight.”
“That’s right. You’re staying at Gabe’s apartment.”
“We are.”
“Can we come, too?” Rachel smiled. “I’m kidding … sort of. Sometimes this place is very small. I’ll make the rez for dinner. How long are two you staying in the city?”
“Just overnight. Then we’re off to Philadelphia.”
“Give my love to Cindy and Koby. Wow, the twins must be, like, four?”
“Almost four and finally out of diapers, which is good. They’re so tall and big that Cindy was running out of
